Even though shrimp seems expensive, there is little or no waste, so it ends up being cheaper than some of the better cuts of meat. It’s quite rich, too, so most of us tend to eat less of it. Of course, the biggest reason to serve shrimp, besides it being luscious, is that it cooks very quickly, and requires very little prep. A favorite shrimp dish, and one that catering clients requested over and over, is the following Baked Italian Shrimp. It’s not diet food by any means, since it is drizzled in butter and Parmesan cheese, and the house will smell wonderful because the dish calls for plenty of garlic. You’ll want to serve this dish with freshly baked (at home or from your favorite bakery) crusty bread to soak up the juices.

Italian Shrimp can be prepped and finished in about 30 minutes, so it’s even a good dish for a weeknight. However, it’s also perfect for guests, and fancy enough for a New Year’s dinner or for any special occasion. You can serve it alone, or pair it with prime rib, grilled steaks, or a tenderloin strip.

6 Servings

30 jumbo shrimp
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup bread crumbs, toasted
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon crushed red hot pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, mashed
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, leaves only
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 300°.
2. Shell, devein, wash, and dry the shrimps thoroughly.
3. Arrange them in a casserole dish sprayed with non-stick spray.
4. Sprinkle bread crumbs over the top and add salt and red and black pepper.
5. Chop garlic and parsley and sprinkle over the shrimp mixture.
6. Stir all together gently so that shrimps are evenly coated with the oil, crumbs, and seasonings.
7. Bake for 10 minutes; spoon the butter over shrimps and sprinkle on the grated cheese.
8. Bake until the shrimps are pink and just cooked through, about 10 more minutes (depending on size).

Amount Per Serving
Calories 297 Calories from Fat 216
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 73% Protein 14% Carb. 13%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 24 g
Saturated Fat 10 g
Cholesterol 103 mg
Sodium 407 mg
Total Carbohydrate 10 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 11 g

Vitamin A 12% Vitamin C 3% Calcium 0% Iron 10%